Fushan officials demolished 17 buildings, damaged and stole victims’ personal property, and beat them with bricks and clubs.
September 23, 2009
BEIJING–Since the attack on the Fushan House Church on September 13, Christians across China have been outraged at the unprecedented nature and the brutality enacted against the church. On September 21, 2009, the Chinese House Church Alliance (CHCA), a network of house church pastors and congregations based in Beijing, issued a formal statement concerning the Fushan attack, declaiming the government’s actions, and calling attention to their right to religious freedom–as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
CHCA leaders were compelled to take action: “As Christian brothers and sisters of the victims, we are deeply concerned and pray earnestly for them…” They affirmed the status of Linfin-Fushan house church as a strong and faithful congregation of believers, asserting the family status of all Christians. The CHCA Statement further itemizes the abuses of the church by the local government, under the authority of the law, and the God-granted responsibility of service to the people. “The government has committed a crime against civil property, civil rights and religious freedom; it is ironic propaganda that the local government [claims to be] ‘for the people.’ ”
The CHCA further lamented the damage to the reputation of the Chinese nation; “this incident has strikingly marred China’s image in the international community; it [has] destroyed the judicial integrity and dignity of China and demonstrated the tragedy of refusing to rule the country by law.. We hope the local government will not humiliate the Chinese people by their wicked behaviors.”
View the Full “Open Statement on the Case of Fushan Church by Chinese House Church Alliance,” issued 9/21/2009.
For more information on the Fushan Church Attack on 9/13/2009, see earlier press releases: Midnight Negotiations, 9/22, 2009, 400 Attack Fushan Church, 9/15/2009.
ChinaAid supports the Chinese House Church Alliance in their affirmation of human rights and religious freedom under the law for all Chinese citizens. We encourage the international community to continue raising awareness and praying for the hospitalized church members, the restoration of the stolen properties, and the renewed freedom of house church members to assemble to worship in Linfin City, Shanxi, and all of China.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
